Here’s When You Can Expect to See the 2022 Holiday Decorations in Walt Disney World

Now that November is here, the Christmas season is definitely upon us. After all, as the clock strikes midnight on Halloween, and the last Guests have left Magic Kingdom after a fun-filled night at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the Christmas transformation begins.

But when can you expect to see all of the Walt Disney World Christmas decorations? With the Spirit of the Season confirmed to begin on November 11, by The Walt Disney Company, it won’t be too long before they appear. Get ready to enter some dates into your diary…

Magic Kingdom

Guests who have a Park Reservation at Magic Kingdom Park on November 1, are in for a real surprise. Whilst some Guests may still expect to see Halloween decorations, they best be ready to be proven wrong. The transformation to Christmas begins once the last Guests have left the Magic Kingdom on All Hallow’s Eve. Generally the Christmas transformation begins on Main Street USA, and around the Hub of Cinderella Castle first.

You can then expect to see the Magic Kingdom fully decorated for Christmas by November 3. This is just in time for the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which begins on November 8. If you’re planning on attending, be sure to secure your tickets soon, as some dates have already sold out. Jungle Cruise should be transformed into the Jingle Cruise in time for the first Christmas Party too.

EPCOT

This Disney Park is usually the last to be decorated for Christmas. This is because the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival doesn’t end until November 19. However, once the popular Festival has finished, you can expect the Christmas decorations to appear pretty quickly, in time for the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which begins on November 25. This includes the Candlelight Processional which also begins on November 25. Due to the construction works that are taking place in EPCOT theme park at the moment, we expect that most of the Christmas decorations will feature in World Showcase this year, in addition to the Holiday Kitchen booths. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has already begun to be decorated in its Holiday decor. The huge red and white tinsel stars have been hung on the lampposts of Sunset Boulevard in preparation for Sunset Seasons Greetings, and we expect that other decorations will appear over the next few days. Keep a look out for Echo Lake to be decked out in its beautiful holiday attire, including Dinosaur Gertie who wears a Santa hat.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Similar to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Holiday decorations have already started to appear in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Diwali lanterns and marigold flowers have been hung in Anandapur, Asia in honor of the holiday festival of lights that takes place in India, and we expect them to stay hung through to January. Discovery Island Luminaries have also appeared in preparation for the Merry Menagerie. We expect that the huge animal-inspired Christmas tree at the entrance of Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be within the next few days too.

Disney Springs

It won’t be long before the ‘Fall into Magic at Disney Springs’ ends. When it does, you can expect the Christmas decorations to appear in the shopping and dining district. Typically they appear during early November. Last year the Christmas Tree Trail began on November 5, and we expect that the trail will begin around the same time this year.

Walt Disney World Resort hotels

While the dates for when the Walt Disney World Resort hotels are decorated for the Holiday season vary each year, typically all trees are up by the third week in November. You can generally expect to go to sleep one night, and as if by magic, the next morning, the Christmas tree has been put up.

You may also be wondering about the gingerbread creations that the Walt Disney World Resort is known for?

Last year, the gingerbread house in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa opened on November 10. Currently, the space has been cleared in the lobby for the gingerbread house, and we expect that the structure of the house will appear in the Disney Resort hotel in the next day or so, followed by the decorating of it. Once the gingerbread house is complete, the rest of the Christmas decor will follow.

As we write, the gingerbread carousel in Disney’s Beach Club is being positioned and finalized, ready for Guests to admire. This year’s theme is inspired by the Disney Princesses, with 5 horses, themed after Elsa, Belle, Tiana, Snow White, and Jasmine. Last year the gingerbread carousel was displayed from November 1 and was themed after The Little Mermaid (1989).

The nautical-themed decorations in Disney’s Beach Club’s sister Resort generally appear a little later on in November. Be sure to stop by Disney’s Yacht Club to see the beautiful trees decorated with boats, ship helms, and nautical-colored decorations. This is also the place to see the Disney Christmas Village, featuring a steam train. The display can be found in the lobby, near the entrance to Ale & Compass.

While we are yet to hear whether the gingerbread displays will be returning to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, these Resorts are still must-visits during the Holiday season. Visiting them towards the middle of November, should guarantee the Christmas decorations being up for your visit. We’re also anticipating the return of a gingerbread creation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; last year there was a giant gingerbread giraffe featured in the Jambo House lobby.

Remember to also pay Disney’s Fort Wilderness a visit during the Holiday season. Not only does the Resort offer you the chance to enjoy a Holiday Sleigh Ride, but the Cabins and Campground are transformed into a winter wonderland as Guests decorate their accommodations with Holiday lights and Christmas decor. 

If you’re planning on visiting the Walt Disney World Resort for Thanksgiving, you can rest assured that all Christmas decorations will be up for Guests to experience and enjoy. This time of year does bring some fairly big crowds though, so if you’d prefer to beat the crowds, then we recommend visiting Walt Disney World during the first week of December. 

Do you have a favorite Disney Park or Disney Resort hotel to visit during the Christmas season? When it comes to a Disney Park, we love the magic of Magic Kingdom. In terms of the Resort hotels, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will always hold our hearts; their lobby was made for that grand Christmas tree!